Tag: meningitis

How popular is the baby name Meningitis in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Find out using the graph below! Plus, see baby names similar to Meningitis and check out all the blog posts that mention the name Meningitis.

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About 80 years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Emsy Jackson of Oklahoma started naming their children after medical conditions:

Tonsillitis “Tonsy” Jackson (boy) – born Nov. 7, 1932

Meningitis “Mennie” Jackson (boy)

Appendicitis “Pendy” Jackson (girl) – born Dec. 25, 1936

Laryngitis Jackson (girl)

Peritonitis Jackson (girl)

Jakeitis Jackson (girl)

The family first made the news in early 1937, right after Appendicitis was born. Their story ran in Newsweek, Reader’s Digest, and TIME, not to mention a bunch of regional papers.

Tonsillitis made headlines twice more after that — when he enlisted in the Navy in 1951, and when he re-enlisted in 1955. (Before he re-enlisted, he had to be treated for tonsillitis, ironically.) In these articles, he explained that his mother had been suffering from a sore throat when he was born, hence the name Tonsillitis.

Tonsillitis Jackson (1932-2006)

And what about Jakeitis — made-up name? No, actually. “Jakeitis” isn’t a recognized medical condition, but the word was used in the 1930s to describe the paralysis that afflicted drinkers of Jake, a slang word for Jamaica Ginger.

Now it’s your turn: If we could add a 7th sibling to this set, what would his/her -itis baby name be? Here are some inflammations for you to choose from…